There may be plenty of trials and tribulations ahead for Wolves in the Barclays Premier League this season - but boss Mick McCarthy is hopeful the assembled squad have the quality and strength in depth to cope with everything that comes their way.

 

The boss has already gone on record to state how delighted he was with his summer strengthening, and the two new faces that featured in Saturday's opening day win against Stoke - Steven Fletcher and Jelle Van Damme - both impressed.

 

Steven Mouyokolo is getting back up to top match fitness having suffered an early pre-season injury while Stephen Hunt will join the fray at some stage in the early part of the season.

 

And with Adlene Guedioura and Geoffrey Mujangi Bia also continuing their association with Wolves on a permanent and temporary basis respectively, the boss is pleased that the squad's quality has improved.

 

"I was pleased with both Fletch and Van Damme on Saturday," said Mick.

 

"We've signed six in total if you count Adlene and Geoffrey.

 

"Of the four new ones we knew Hunty wasn't going to be ready and Steven had his injury early in pre-season.

 

"But he's going to have to play pretty well to get Jody Craddock out of the team won't he?

 

"We've got that back-up though which is good."

 

Coupled with the new signings however comes the reality that the rest of the squad should also be all the better for what in most cases was their first Barclays Premier League season last time out.

 

Mick believes that could prove just as important.

 

"That was part of my talk before the game on Saturday," he explained.

 

"I looked around last year and couldn't see much Premier League experience apart from Doyler, and Jody and Marcus Hahnemann.

 

"Now we've got 15 of the players who got us into the Premier League all still here with that experience which is great.

 

 

"Look at Jarvo who has moved onto the right hand side and looked just as much of a threat.

 

"There's the thought that with Hunty coming in Jarvo is under threat but he's proved that's not the case.

 

"We have got good options now, as good as since I've been at the club.

"People have  been reminding me that we were the second highest spenders for a time and it's good the club have given me that backing to make the squad better."

 

In terms of Van Damme the boss opted to utilise him in the left midfield berth rather than at full back as has previously been his more customary position.

 

The Belgian has played the role before and looked confident, with Mick believing it offers more chance to adapt to the rigours of the English game.

"Jelle's come in as a left back but has done well further forward," he said.

 

"He's come in and found the pace of the league and the way the training is very different.

 

"It's more intense.

 

"Maybe playing one forward will help him because he's a terrific footballer.

"This could help him to get up to speed a bit more rather than being at left back."

 

So will there be any others to join the new ranks before the transfer deadline?

 

"I don't think so," said Mick.

 

"Although we will keep looking because sometimes things can happen and it can be a moveable feast.

 

"There's still a bit of time to go but we're not forcing anything.

 

"If something moves then fabulous and if it doesn't then I'm happy and cool with what I've got."